Perthshire farmer sued for £2MILLION over claims he spoiled almost 250,000 Christmas trees
John Paton, 44, had previously sued Noble Nordmann Ltd insisting he has not been paid for 800 hours of work
A FARMER is being sued for £2million over claims he spoiled almost 250,000 Christmas trees.
John Paton, 44, is accused of neglecting the firs and letting them be attacked by aphid insects and fungus.
The agricultural contractor had launched a £127,800 action against producers Noble Nordmann Ltd, insisting he has not been paid for almost 800 hours of work.
But he blasted the firm after they counter-sued him for the giant bill.
John, based in Perthshire, said: “It’s been a nightmare. I have a good strong reputation.
“I did what I was asked. The counter-claim is just an attempt to get rid of me.”
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John’s firm was hired in 2015 to tend to the crop for at least 1,760 hours annually at a cost of £50 per hour.
He claims Noble Nordmann failed to provide the promised instructions and maps needed for fertilising and treatments.
But the company alleged at Perth Sheriff Court that a tractor driver on the site was often absent, and claimed that John decreased their crop value.
They said: “He failed to carry out services with reasonable care. A number of trees required to be destroyed.”
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Owner Jimmi Enevoldsen added: “We lost a lot of money. Trees are still suffering.”
The case continues.
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